February is Black History Month, and, for the fifth consecutive year, Milwaukee Film and its Black Lens program are going all out with a monthlong lineup of screenings and events. Want to see 1985’s The Last Dragon and a new documentary on Reverend Al Sharpton and witness the reunion of Milwaukee group Growing Nation and attend a moderated discussion about Kendrick Lamar? Read on!
First, the screenings, all of which will take place at the Oriental Theatre:
Thursday, February 2
The Big Payback – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 4
The Last Dragon – 7 p.m.
Thursday, February 9
The African Desperate – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 11
Black Love Through A Black Lens Shorts – noon
Thursday, February 16
Loudmouth – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 18
Juneteenth: Faith & Freedom – noon
Thursday, February 23
Fire Music – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 25
An Oversimplification Of Her Beauty – noon
“I am looking forward to exploring how Black Film can continually be used as an agent to reimagine, re-inform, and reinvent the day-to-day realities for those in the diaspora,” says Marquise Mays, programmer for Milwaukee Film’s Black Lens program, in a press release. “From historical documentaries, romantic comedies, music videos, and experimental expressions, the films chosen for Black History Month seek to proclaim that Black film exists in its own solar system of infinite moments and futures.”
And now for the events:
Wednesday, February 1
Engage & Activate: Young Professionals Forum – Company Brewing – 6 p.m.
Friday, February 3
A Leap Into Afrofuturism – Radio Milwaukee – 7 p.m.
Friday, February 10
Black History Month Trivia – Company Brewing – 8 p.m.
Saturday, February 11
Black Love Through A Black Lens: Afrosexology – Dandy – 7 p.m.
Friday, February 17
In Retrospect: The Life & Times Of Kendrick Lamar – Company Brewing – 7 p.m.
Saturday, February 25
Groove Theory: Growing Nation – The Cooperage – 8 p.m.
Sunday, February 26
For The Soul: A Narrated Food Tasting & Conversation – Turning Tables Tavern & Eatery – 5 p.m.
“The Black Lens team wanted these events to focus on exploring black identity and celebrating the vibrancy of our local community,” says Black Lens program coordinator Deiva Motley in a press release. “Our goal for the events during the month is to reflect different interests people may have never really touched on before and just spark those conversations.”
Ticket information for Black History Month films and events can be found HERE.
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